An
exceptional and interesting letter with extensive commentary on James Fenimore
Cooper and his novel The Spy,
published in 1821, which was Cooper’s second novel:

“Dear Sally,

… In respect to the book that you
mention, I do partially agree with you, but the Spy has more merit than you are
willing to admit. The chief fault that I find with it is a want of definiteness
as to the precise nature of the services accomplished by the Spy – but I think
Mr. Cooper has been very happy in his illustrations of the distinctive
character of the different parts of our country. He has taken a man from the
lower walks of life in New England and endowed him with rare sagacity, great firmness,
sincere and ardent private affection together with a most devoted love for the
interests of his country and he has given effect to these qualities by
combining them with courage, perseverance and activity. He has given a fine
specimen of a southern gentleman in Dunwoodie, and has, I think further
exhibited in a very striking manner the peculiar features of the North &
South in the court martial where many conflicting feelings on the part of the
judges, modified the deportment of them much according to the separate
influences of a previous character of mind. This I think a remarkably well
conceived and touching scene. I also think the characters of the sisters, show
an intimate acquaintance with the sex and with human nature – Their political
partialities secretly inspired by a tenderer passion are truly feminine – their
purity of mind and their mutual fondness is very interesting; and the
pusillanimity of the father with the dignity and devotedness of the aunt are
among very natural traits of human nature, and of those times. Old Caesar is
the only one of the underlings in any fidelity or of much effect upon the
imagination. The Low character, Dr. Sitgreaves and the military men are like
persons in the American army – spirited in action, but insignificant in
discourse vulgar without humour and frivolous without any original and vivid
bursts of wit and gaiety. The manners, style of life &c I think agreeable
to those traditions of great dinners, and stiff silks that amused my youth, and
when I consider that nobody else has written good popular fiction – that it is
utterly beyond the reach of ordinary & even respectable talents to produce
anything of the sort, I feel disposed to admire and to praise Mr. C’s genius –
indeed if his taste and his education were only equal to the power of his fancy
and the goodness of his understanding & heart, few authors would surpass
him.

Mr. Cooper is not without literature
and wide observation of mankind, but his learning is not exact, nor his
perceptions refined – yet few men are more penetrating, honourable &
benevolent; but a certain tenderness of sentiment and elegance of thought will
always be wanting in his productions because they are not in his mind – I know
him and the vigour of conceptions and his intimate acquaintance with his own
modes of business, which are connected with the character and resources of the
nation in several ways, besides that of a common citizen always present to me a
variety of information and of speculation that one person seldom affords to another
…”